someone's arse off

• someone's ass off (US spelling)

someone's arse off (British spelling) (vulgar)

1. (reflexive) With great effort, vigour or gusto, or to the point of excess.

   I've been working my arse off all day for a measly few quid.

   What a gig! The band played their arses off.

   We partied our arses off all night long.

   I didn't notice – I was too busy laughing my arse off!

2. (reflexive) Used as a general negative intensifier: to an extreme degree.

   I remember how we were all sweating our arses off during that heatwave.

   I could be sitting on a beach somewhere rather than freezing my arse off in this dump.

3. (non-reflexive) So as to rigorously exercise or exhaust someone.

   The boss has been working our arses off all week.

   He may be 50 years old, but he could still run your arse off.

Frequently used with the verb work, but many other verbs are also possible. Reflexive use is more common than non-reflexive.

• someone's butt off, someone's buns off, someone's tits off, someone's nuts off, someone's balls off, someone's bollocks off, someone's dick off (all vulgar)
• someone's tail off (inoffensive)

• one's socks off

For translations with work, see work someone's ass off.